Life saving equipment



Jan. 16, 1962 R. J. FINN LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 12, 1959 Raymond J F/hn 1N VEN TOR Unite 3,616,549 LlFE SAVENG EQUEME Raymond .l. Finn, Montgomery Road, R. D. 2, Middletown, Nil]. Filed Aug. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 333,236 6 Claims. (Cl. 9--"i4) This invention relates generally to life saving equipment and more particularly to a device which may be carried by peace ofiicers for utilization as a night stick and which further serves as an illuminating source and an aid to save drowning persons.

All peace oificers generally carry a night stick when they are patrolling their respective beats. At night, it is of course necessary that they further have with them a flashlight of sorts. Also, it is advisable that emergency equipment, as life saving equipment to aid drowning persons, be available to the oificer.

In view of the above, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a device for utilization by peace oiiicers which serves a plurality of functions. Essentially, the device includes a cylindrical elongated member of sufi'icient weight that it may properly serve as a night stick. The member includes three sections which are attached end to end. The two terminal sections are hollow and separated by a plug section. It is contemplated that a spool having nylon cable thereon be received in one of the end sections with the cable secured between the spool and the plug section. The other end section houses batteries and a bulb and serves as a flashlight. In use, the sections may be detached and the spool removed from the first section, The plug may then be refitted in the first section to provide a watertight seal between the first and the plug section. Then, the first section may be thrown to a drowning person in the water with the spool and cable of course retained by the peace otficer. Since the first section is able to float, a drowning person may grasp it and be pulled in by the ofiicer.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for utilization by peace ofiicers or such, which is simple in construction and accordingly inexpensive to manufacture and distribute. It is also contemplated that the device he of a rugged construction so as to assure a long life thereof.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a device for utilization by peace ofiicers which is simple to utilize and which enables the otiicer to carry with him important extra equipment which does not prove to be unduly cumbersome. Accordingly, it is thought that the ofiicers will be able to more efficiently perform their contemplated functions and that many lives may be saved.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device showing particularly the outward appearance thereof and the elements thereon utilized to carry the device;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view partially 3,016,549 Patented Jan. 16, 1962 broken away illustrating the internal arrangement of the various sections;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the terminal portions of the first and third sections secured to the plug section; and

FIGURE 4 is a representative view illustrating how the device may be utilized for enabling a peace ofiicer to save a drowning person,

With continuing reference to the drawings, numeral 19 generally represents the life saving aid comprising this invention and including initially a first. section 12, a second section 14 and a third section 16.

The first section 12 is a hollow cylinder having a transverse wall 18 closing one end thereof. The second end thereof, remote from the wall 18, is internally threaded as at 28. The plug section 14 has a reduced end section 22 which is externally threaded and engaged with the threads 2% of section 12. The plug section 14 is hollow as indicated and closes the hollow first section 12. The third section 15 is internally threaded at 24 and threadedly engaged with the second reduced externally threaded end 26 of the plug section 14. As will be particularly noted in FIGURE 3, each of the sections 12 and 16 may be threadedly received on the reduced externally threaded end portions 22 and 26 of the plug section 14.

A spool 30 including a center rod 32 connecting a pair of U-shaped elements 34 and 36 is removably accommodated within the first section 12 as illustrated in FIG- URE 2. A nylon cable 38 is wound about the spool 39 lying on the bight portions of each of the U-shaped elements 34 and 36 and extending parallel to the rod 32. The cable 38 is attached between the spool 30 and a hook at secured to a face of the plug section 14.

When utilized as a night stick, the device is arranged as indicated in FIGURE 1 presenting an elongated cylindrical member. When it is desired to utilize the device to aid in the rescue of a drowning person, the section 12 is detached from the plug section 14 and the plug section 14 is in turn detached from the section 16. The spool 3%) is then removed from the section 12 and the plug 14 is reversed, so that the hook i0 is on the outside, and the plug end 26 is threadedly engaged with the first section end 2t). Then, the section 12 along with the section 14 may be cast out into the water 42 as indicated in FIGURE 4. The cable 38 may be let off of the spool 3t with the spool being retained on the'shore 44. The first section 12 in combination with the plug 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 4, is fioatable so that the drowning person may grasp it and be pulled toward the shore by the peace oflicer.

r The third section 16 houses flashlight batteries 46 therein connected to a terminal 48 of a bulb (not shown). A transparent transverse end wall 50 is positioned at one end of the section 16 through which light may be emitted. An end cap 52 and spring 54 seal the section 16 and serve to establish the proper connection between the batteries 36 and bulb contact 48.

If desired, a flexible strap 56 may be carried by the first section 12 to aid the peace officer in carrying the device it as a night stick. A recessed V--clip 58 is provided which may be utilized in conjunction with a cooperating clamp on a peace oificers pistol. A recessed switch 69 enables the flashlight to be lit when desired.

- It will be apparent that novel life saving equipment has been provided in the form of a unitary device which conveniently serves as a night stick and which includes three separate sections. The first section, in combination with the second section serves to enable a drowning person to be saved While the third section acts as a conventional flashlight.

Of course, the particular materials utilized in the construction of the device are not subject to stringent requirements. It of course is desirable that the transparent wall 50 be of an unbreakable material and the construction of the entire device be heavy enough so that it may be properly used as a night stick. However, of course, the section 12 and plug section 14 must not be made excessively heavy so as to prevent the respective sections from floating. The device 10 can of course be used in other applications. For example, it may be utilized in the rescue of children who fall through thin ice, empty pits, wells, etc. Also, the peace officer may find the device useful'in measuring ofi" distances as, for example, when investigating an accident or such.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A life saving aid comprising an elongated member including three elongated sections disposed end to end, a first of said sections being tubular, a third of said sections-being tubular, a second of said sections comprising a plug, said first and third sections being detachably secured to said plug on opposite ends thereof, each of said sections having a transverse cross-section defining identical perimeters, said first section having a transverse wall on the end thereof remote from said plug, said third section having a transparent transverse wall on the end thereof remote from said plug, an elongated spool removably accommodated in said first section, a cable wound on said spool, said cable secured between said spool and said plug, said first section displacing an amount of water greater than its weight with said spool removed whereby it will float, said third section receiving an illuminating source therein adjacent said transparent wall, and means in said third section for illuminating said source.

2. A night Stick life saving device comprising a night stick member which includes three elongated sections disposed end to end, the first and third of said sections being tubular, the second of said sections comprising a plug, said first section being detachably secured to said plug at one end thereof, said third section being detachably secured to said plug at the opposite end thereof, said first and third sections having transverse walls on the end; thereof remote from said plug, an elongated spool removably accommodated in said first section, a cable wound on said spool, said cable being secured between said spool and said end of said plug secured to said first section, said first section and said opposite end of said plug presenting securing means for securing said first section and said opposite end of said plug in watertight relation therewith when said third section is removed therefrom, and said first section and said opposite end of said plug being buoyant in water when so secured.

3. A night stick life saving device comprising a night stick member which includes three elongated sections disposed end to end, .the first and third of said sections being tubular, the second of said sections comprising a plug, said first section being detachably secured to said plug at one end thereof, said third section detachably secured to said plug at the opposite end thereof, said first section having a transverse wall on the end thereof remote from said plug, said third section having a transparent wall on the end thereof remote from said plug,

an elongated spool removably accommodated in said first section, a cable wound on said spool, said cable being secured between said spool and said end of said plug secured to said first section, said first section and said opposite end of said plug presenting securing means for securing said first section and said opposite end of said plug in watertight relation therewith when said third section is removed therefrom, and said first section and said opposite end of said plug being buoyant in water when so secured, an illuminating source in said third section adjacent said transparent wall, and means in said third section for illuminating said source.

4. A night stick life saving device comprising a night stick member which includes three elongated sections disposed end to end, each of said sections having a transverse cross-section defining identical perimeters, the first and third of said sections being tubular, the second of said sections comprising a plug, said first section being detachably secured to said plug at one end thereof, said third section being detachably secured to said plug at the opposite end thereof, said first section having a transverse wall on the end thereof remote from said plug, said third section having a transparent Wall on the end thereof remote from said plug, a V-clip on said third section disposed to receive the cooperating clamp of a pistol, an elongated spool removably accommodated in said first section, a cable Wound on said spool, said cable being secured between said spool and said end of said plug secured to said first section, said first section and said opposite end of said plug presenting securing means for securing said first section and said opposite end of said plug in watertight relation therewith when said third section is removed therefrom, and said first section and said opposite end of said plug being buoyant in water when so secured, an illuminating source in said third section adjacent said transparent wall, and means in said third section for illuminating said source.

5. A night stick life saving device comprising a night stick member which includes three elongated sections disposed end to end in detachable engagement, each of said sections having a transverse cross-section defining identical perimeters, the second of said sections comprising a plug having cable attaching means at one end thereof, the first and third sections being tubular, said first section being detachably secured to said one end of said plug, said third section being detachably secured to the opposite end of said plug, said first section having a transverse wall on the end thereof remote from said plug, said third section having a transparent wall on the end thereof remote from said plug, an elongated spool removably accommodated in said first section, a cable wound on said spool, said cable being secured between said spool and said cable attaching means of said plug, said first section and said opposite end of said plug presenting a watertight junction when said spool is removed from said first section, when said third section is removed from said plug and when said plug is reversed and secured to said first section, said first section and said plug being buoyant in water when so secured, an illuminating source in said third section adjacent said transparent wall, and means in said third section for illuminating said source.

6. A night stick life saving device comprising a night stick member which includes three elongated sections disposed end to end in detachable threaded engagement, each of said sections having a transverse cross-section defining identical perimeters, the second of said sections comprising a plug having threads on its exterior surface at each end thereof and having cable attaching means at one end thereof, the first and third sections being tubular, said first section having internal threads in detachable engagement with said threads at said one end of said plug, said third section having internal threads at one end thereof in detachable engagement with said threads at the opposite end of said plug, said threads of each of said sections being of a size such that said plug can be reversed for detachably securing said first section to said opposite end of said plug, said first and third sections having transverse walls on the ends thereof remote from said plug, an elongated spool removably accommodated in said first section, a cable Wound on said spool, said cable being secured between said spool and said cable attaching means of said plug, and said first section and said plug being buoyant in water when said first section is in threaded engagement with said opposite end of said plug.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Fleming Jan. 29, 1907 Diehl et a1 Apr. 2, 1907 Purdy Mar. 5, 1940 Lombardi June 10, 1941 Matthieson May 3, 1955 Calanco Nov. 11, 1958 

